Karlos- Location: Dover
- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 2,599
#1
[U]Lower Thames Crossing location announced
A new tunnel under the River Thames east of Gravesend has been announced by the Government.
The planned route will run from the M25 near North Ockendon, cross the A13 at Orsett before crossing under the Thames east of Tilbury and Gravesend. A new link road will then take traffic to the A2 near Shorne, close to where the route becomes the M2.
A further £10m will be used to improve traffic flow at and around the existing crossing as well as studying ways to further tackle congestion. This will include a wide-ranging investigation into options to cut ‘rat running’ through Dartford and Thurrock.
The Lower Thames Crossing is expected to carry 4.5 million heavy goods vehicles in its first year.
The route has the backing of Highways England which says it would reduce pressure on the Dartford Crossing and offer a shorter route to and from the Port of Dover and the Channel Tunnel.
Local residents and environmental campaigners though claim it will increase pollution and damage the countryside. [/U]
Jan Higgins and howard mcsweeney1 like this
Karlos- Location: Dover
- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 2,599
#2
I would hope that it will mean the dualling of the rest of the A2 from Lydden Hill will have to go ahead.
Jan Higgins likes this
Reginald Barrington
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Dec 2014
- Posts: 3,261
#3
What with this and the London Paramount Park it will be essential.
http://www.londonparamount.info/the-project/Arte et Marte
Guest 1395- Registered: 5 Nov 2014
- Posts: 463
#4
I suspect there will be a strong anti campaign fought in Thurrock and Gravesham given the environmental issues. The money could be much better spent getting more freight onto rail.
Lew Finnis
Reginald Barrington- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Dec 2014
- Posts: 3,261
#5
For the thousands that live and work around the Dartford crossing I think the health improvements and lives it would save make the price well worth paying,
Arte et Marte
Guest 1395- Registered: 5 Nov 2014
- Posts: 463
#6
I suspect it will make little difference to Dartford, as other traffic will be generated instead e.g. those who avoid it at the moment because of congestion.
Lew Finnis